The San Diego Padres' ongoing quest for a World Series (or at least a playoff title). "You know that many runners enter a race, but only one of them wins the prize. So run to win! Athletes work hard to win a crown that cannot last, but we do it for a crown that will last forever." 1 Corinthians 9:24-25

A Tribute to Trevor

The first time I ever saw you live was June 23, 2005, at my first Padres game. I wasn’t a Padres fan, in fact, I thought baseball was kind of boring. I had heard of you before, who in San Diego hadn’t? You were the only person I associated with the Padres. I don’t remember much about that game. But you did pitch that day, in the 10th with the game tied. You’ve always been horrible in tie games. (Note to Milwaukee: whatever you do, do NOT put Trevor in to pitch in tie games!!) This game was no different. You gave up the winning homer. I don’t remember seeing you pitch, but I can say that I was there.

In 2006, I attended another game, and after that, I was hooked. One of my best experiences involving you was your record-breaking 479th save. It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon near the end of the season. I was in my room with the radio cranked. My parents had their radio way loud, too. It was so amazing to hear the call of the save, and to hear the interview and analysis afterwards. I was so happy for you that I almost started crying. I remember wishing so much that I could be there. I still have the newspapers from that wonderful weekend. You were my favorite player.

I went into the 2007 season as a Padres fan. You had a great year. There are so many stories I could share, but let’s just say that I was super excited when you got a save, and pretty disappointed when you blew one. The day you got #500 was very exctiting for me. I didn’t get to hear it live, but I’ve watched it a lot since. In September 2007, I headed down to PETCO with my sister and two friends to celebrate my birthday. We got BP balls from the groundskeeper, and when we got into the stadium, we went towards the right field line. There you were, streching near the visitor’s bullpen. I was so excited to see you. I was pretty much awe-struck. When you were done streching, you stopped by to sign autographs. And I got it, on my BP ball. I think I squeezed in between a bunch of people, and just stuck my hand in there. It was so cool, and that ball is very special to me.

Game 163 hurt, badly. I was really confident in you, but you blew it. That was truly devastating, hearing you fall apart on that field. But the way you handled the situation, taking the blame, and giving no excuses was just incredible.

On August 14, 2008, I finally got to see Trevor Time. In the bottom of the 8th, the score was 3-1 Pads. My Padres got Kouzmanoff on, but I desperately didn’t want Chase Headley to get a hit! He didn’t, and so the game headed into the top of the 9th. One of my goals in 2008 was to see Trevor Time. I wanted to see it before you retired. And there I was. I had been watching you warm up in the bullpen. I could tell it was you by the leg kick, and the way you pitch. It was incredible to watch the Trevor Time, to hear “Hell’s Bells”. I was screaming like crazy and taking countless pictures. You did give up a home run to Mike Cameron, but you did it. You closed your 550th save. I am so thankful that I was able to be there, to see it before you left.

Trevor, you are a Padre. No matter where you go, you are and always will be a Padre. You’ve been here for 16 years. In 1998, “Hell’s Bells” debuted and you became San Diego’s hero. Over the 16 years with us, you collected 552 saves. You broke the all-time saves record right here in San Diego. You got 500 and 550 here. You represented the Padres 6 times in the All-Star game. You’ve been here for so long, done so much for this team, and how are we supposed to say goodbye to you?

We love you. We love Trevor Time. We love your humbleness, your humor, and the way you play the game. The front office is eager to let you go, but we aren’t. We aren’t ready to watch you walk away. We want you to stay, to end your Hall of Fame career here. It’s not going to happen, but we wish so much that you could have stayed. We will miss you so much.

It will be so different without you here at PETCO. I will miss you so much, but I hope you have a great year with the Brewers. I will be following all you saves. I miss you, Trevor.

Wonderful tribute, Kaybee. The Padres have the potential to come back and be good again like in 2007. I think new ownership will help that. Hopefully new ownership will bring back your Trevor. And hopefully he won’t have any resentment due to current ownership.
Jenhttp://ajroxmywhitesox.mlblogs.com

I’m sure when Trevor settles in with the Brewers he will sit in the bullpen wishing he could have another save in San Diego. No matter the jersey though you are right he will be a Padre. Nice tribute. Nice ranking too over there rockstar!
tomhttp://rockymountainway.mlblogs.com

JEN, I think Trevor really appreciates the time that he got to play here in San Diego, and hopefully there will be no hard feelings. But I wouldn’t blame him if he did :)

JANE, I’m glad it was touching. It’s tough to lose a favorite player, but I will get over it eventually. Having this blog to rant about it has really helped!

JULIA, I think I am. I know I will eventually get totally over it, thanks for the good wishes!

JEREMY, I was actually thinking about sending it to him as fan mail in the care of the Brewers. I don’t know if he would ever get to it, but it’s worth a try!

TOM, I sure he will. He will read this blog, then sit there and think, “Kaybee was right.” He will get very distracted when he’s pitching, and the Brewers will get so annoyed that they send him back to the Padres…right. A girl can dream…

Oh Kaybee, now you made me cry! I miss him really, really bad.. PETCO park is going to be so strange now. Trevor was the only reason I attended few games. Just because of him. Game 163 killed my heart. I put my trust in him but he blew it. He had ups and downs with San Diego, but he would never, ever give up. And that’s the part I love about Trevor Hoffman. He goes out there and wants to save. That’s his job. He’s been doing that for quite a long time. Breaking the all-time save record was truely amazing. Trevor WILL be our Padre even if he’s with the Brewers. Man, I just wish that Trevor could retire here, and not somewhere else! Trevor, thanks for the memories, histories, and everything else, in San Diego. You are a great man. Hopefully, just hopefully, you can come back in 2010 season.http://hyunyoung.mlblogs.com

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